Editing Pope Gregory VI (section)

==Papacy==
[[File:Gregory VI-face-coats.jpg|thumb|Gregory VI on a 19th-century religious card]]
With an empty exchequer and a clergy that had largely lost the savour of righteousness, Gregory VI was confronted by an almost hopeless task. Nevertheless, with the aid of his "capellanus" or chaplain, Hildebrand,<ref name=Cowdrey/> destined to be [[Pope Gregory VII]], he tried to bring about civil and religious order. He strove to effect the latter by means of letters and councils, and the former by force of arms. But the factions of his rivals were too strong to be put down, and the confusion only increased.

Convinced that nothing could meet the challenges facing the Church except imperial intervention, a number of influential clergy and laity separated themselves from communion with Gregory VI or either of his two rivals and implored King [[Henry III of Germany]] to cross the [[Alps]] and restore order. Henry III responded to these pleas by descending into Italy in the autumn of 1046.<ref name=Mann/> Strong in the conviction of his innocence, Gregory VI went north to meet him. He was received by Henry III with all the honour due to a pope, and in accordance with the royal request, summoned a council to meet at [[Sutri]].<ref name=Mann/>